I was less than 2 weeks away from seeing Blind Melon in Cleveland when Shannon Hoon passed in October of ’95. I always since assumed that I would never get another chance to see them, and if I did, I knew it just wouldn’t be the same without Shannon on vocals. I have periodically kept tabs on the band to see what they were up to. Over the last year or so, I found that they had added vocalist Travis Warren to their lineup and were working on releasing a new album. I have to admit that at first, Travis just didn’t do it for me but in March, when I saw that they were coming to Austin, I figured what the hell. I would pay twenty bucks to see a good cover band of Blind Melon, why not for the actual band with this new cat on vocals. Since buying my tickets, I kept listening to the new stuff they had on their Myspace page. As it turns out, just like their previous stuff, the more I listened to it, the more it grew on me. Despite this, while looking forward to it; I still did not have the highest expectations for the show. Having never seen them before, I just didn’t know what to expect.

The anticipation was high in the near capacity Antone’s. I was able to bring my “good” camera in so I wanted to get as close as I could without being obnoxious. I was able to get about three people back from the stage on the right side in front of Rogers. They started the show with Galaxy and the crowd was immediately singing along to every word. I seriously had no idea there were this many Melon Heads. Most people I know say “aren’t they the guys that had that bee video?” I tried keeping track of the set list, but between that, trying to get some good pics, and enjoying the show, something had to give. If any of you have the set list, please send it to me and I will post it. (Added 4/23/08 - Thanks to Karen at blindmelonforum.com, here is the set list)

Galaxie
2×4
Toes Across the Floor
For My Friends
Soup
Drive
Paper Scratcher
Sleepyhouse
Sometimes
Last Laugh
Wishing Well
Change
Hypnotized
Skinned (with bubbles!)
Soak the Sin
Wilt
No Rain
The Pusher

Encores:
Mouthful of Cavities
Cheetum Street
Time

The new singer Travis was right on. He rocked the old stuff without coming off as a Shannon Hoon impersonator. After five or six songs, I decided to put the camera away and just enjoy the show. And did I ever! It was an amazing performance by the whole band. I could have done without Travis comparing the Austin crowd to the Detroit crowd. Seriously? Does anyone even still live up there?

Wishing Well and Last Laugh were a couple of the new songs mingled in the set. They transitioned from a great jam session into a slowed down, somewhat similar to the Ripped Away version of No Rain. I was hoping they would do the whole song this way as the original has just been so overplayed that it would have been nice to hear it otherwise. However, when they kicked it into gear, I couldn’t help but sing along as loud as I could. Even though I usually skip this song when it comes up on my ipod or the CD, I have to appreciate it for if not for it, I may not have ever heard of Blind Melon. The crowd went especially nuts when they busted out the harmonica and played my personal (and apparently most other Melon fan’s) favorite Change. I wish I would’ve picked up a kazoo before the show so I could have kazoo’d along to another sing along favorite of mine Skinned.

(Added 4/23/08 - Youtube clip courtesy of Meredith at blindmelonforum.com)

They concluded the show with a three song encore including Mouth Full of Cavities and what is soon to become a central Texas favorite Cheetum Street which references the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos.

Overall, this show far exceeded my expectations. If you are having any doubts about checking them out when they roll into your town, cast those doubts aside and be prepared to witness an amazing show. The same goes for the new album For My Friends, I am still getting acquainted with it, but so far so good. It is great to finally have some new Blind Melon material for my collection! On behalf of Melon heads everywhere, I just want to extend a big THANK YOU for having the courage to pick up where Shannon left off.

For more pics, check out my flickr Blind Melon Set.